Suspicions

Finn walked back over to the table, putting down the replenished bowl of chips that Haley immediately dug into before burying them in a giant heap of guacamole. She chuckled as she sat down and reached for her wine glass. Katie was off at an away match and would be gone until tomorrow, so for the first time in a while, it was just the two best friends together.

"I seriously cannot believe that you finally stood up to your mum," Haley said, her mouth full. Finn just smiled and shrugged.

"Figured it was about time," she said with a sigh before taking a sip of her wine.

"The one time I don't go with you and I miss it, damn," Haley said. Finn rolled her eyes.

"You remember what happened the last time you were with me," she replied, staring at her.

"What? I wasn't that bad," Haley shouted.

"Pretty sure you threatened to kill her," Finn said, smirking. Haley pointed at her.

"I did not threaten to kill her… just told her to watch her back. There's a difference," she insisted. "How did Katie take it?"

"She did well. And was impressed," Finn replied. Haley looked down at the dip, her brow furrowed, then looked back up at Finn. "Oh, god, what is it this time?"

"Don't you ever get the feeling that… something's off with her?" Haley asked. Finn snorted.

"No, what could possibly be off? Besides, I thought you liked her," Finn replied.

"I do. And she's fun and all. Her friends as well - Alicia is hilarious, by the way. And Angelina's lovely, but… dunno, I just get this feeling there's something going on," Haley said. Finn raised an eyebrow at her. "Don't give me that look. My feelings are always right. You know this."

"They are not always right," Finn shot back. "Case in point, Katie. She's normal and wonderful and I like her. And she hasn't stolen anything yet." Haley looked towards the shut bedroom door and then back at Finn.

"Let's go through her room," she said, starting to stand.

"Fuck! No, Haley!" Finn shouted with a laugh. "We are not going through her things! And you're being absolutely ridiculous." Haley sat down and rolled her eyes.

"Fine, but you have to admit that there is something about her that's strange," she said, pouting slightly.

"Haley, are you jealous? Because you know you'll always be my best friend," Finn said lightly.

"I'm not jealous!" Haley shouted. Finn just stared at her. "I know how hard the last year has been for you and… I don't want to see you get hurt again." Finn sighed.

"Katie's not going to hurt me," she replied.

"But you have to admit that I'm right on some level. I mean, how come she's always vague when she talks about her work?" Haley said. "Are we really sure that she works for a professional football team?"

"I've met her team," Finn retorted. "I don't think that's vague."

"Well, then… this boarding school they went to? Sure, they talk about it, but they get all wonky about it. And last time, I was talking to Angelina about school and she had the oddest look on her face when I went on about how I nearly failed trigonometry," Haley said.

"I get an odd look when anyone talks about trig," Finn said.

"Alright, Merlin. What's with that? They've all said it at some point," Haley pushed, a smug look on her face as though she finally had solid evidence that they were strange.

"Some weird inside joke. Katie told me about it," Finn replied lightly. Haley groaned slightly and rolled her eyes. She then sat up.

"Fine. Oliver. Why haven't you heard from him? Weren't you all supposed to hang out or something?" Haley said. "Has Katie not given him your number? It's been days since you ran into him."

Finn sighed and frowned slightly. That was one area that she was unsure about.

"I'm sure he's just busy. He did say that he had a lot of away matches coming up," Finn said, staring at her wine glass. She glanced up, seeing Haley's expression had softened. "Dear god, please no more pity."

"I'm not pitying you," Haley said, reaching for her glass. "Okay, so perhaps there's a reason for the weird shite… and maybe I'm just a bit jealous…" Finn smiled softly and reached over, grabbing Haley's hand.

"Again, you know you're my best friend," she said.

"It's… sometimes I feel like… well you and Katie are always doing something together nowadays. And you see each other every day and all…" Haley admitted. "I don't want you to forget about me." Finn rolled her eyes.

"How could I possibly do that? They can probably hear you across the Channel," she said with a grin. Haley glared at her. "Seriously, Haley."

"I know," Haley said with a sigh.

"And just because I'm getting close with Katie and the others, doesn't mean I'm pushing you out or away," Finn continued. "I wuv you, Hawey." Haley snorted and started laughing loudly.

"Please!" she said. After she had settled down, she looked at Finn with a hopeful expression on her face. "You know… even I have to admit, it's been really good for you. You've opened up a lot more lately… and though I'm still slightly suspicious… I think perhaps you might be right. Katie is a good roommate." Finn grinned at her. "I mean, Christ, not only have you been going out more and meeting people, you fucking stood up to your mum. If that's not progress, well…" She lifted her glass to her lips and took a drink. "I'm just wondering what it is that she's been saying to you, because god knows Taylor and I have been trying for years." Finn just shrugged.

"I think… I think it was more a case of we needed to help each other," she said thoughtfully.

"Perhaps that's it," Haley said after thinking about it. "Now… to find a way to get this Oliver bloke on the right track…"

Katie stretched slightly in her chair, wishing that she could be home in her own bed rather than out in Diagon Alley at a pub. But she had told Finn that she would be at an away match, so couldn't go back until tomorrow to keep up the ruse. It was the third time that she had to crash at either Alicia's or Angelina and George's under the guise of being out of town.

"We can go if you want," Angelina said, watching her carefully.

"I'm fine," Katie said, smiling. "Just a bit tired, is all. Long match."

"Caught it on the wireless," Alicia said. "Seems it was brutal."

"Always the Falcons…" Katie muttered as she reached for her pint. "Had to fix four broken noses and a fair bit of black eyes, ribs and loads of other broken bones."

"And that's quidditch," Alicia replied with a sigh. "How are things with Finn?" Katie frowned slightly as she looked down at her mug and then up at her best friends.

"Well… good, but… Oliver wants me to teach him about muggle things so he can take her out," she said. Angelina's eyes widened as she slowly started to grin, while Alicia chuckled.

"So he finally got up the courage to ask her out. Well, again," Alicia replied.

"Not completely. They ran into each other and he suggested that we all go out together. At first, anyway. Wants to learn more about muggle stuff before he takes her out alone," Katie said. Alicia frowned slightly as she leaned forward, picking up on something in her friend.

"What is it, Kates?" she asked. Katie sighed.

"Is it such a good idea?" she asked. "Oliver can be hopeless on a good day and he barely passed muggle studies. What if he slips up?"

"I understand the concern, but I'm sure Oliver will be fine. He's a grown man," Angelina said. "You're doing well…"

"But that's the thing, it's getting harder to keep the secret. Even with Taylor helping and all-"

"What? Back up," Alicia said. "Taylor?" Katie grimaced slightly.

"Right. He's a wizard," she said, realizing that she had forgotten to share that news.

"Well, that's certainly good news for you," Alicia said with a smirk.

"Focus. We're discussing Finn and Oliver," Katie said.

"And you honestly think that it's a good idea to stand in between them?" Angelina asked. "Or discourage that from happening? You know that one or both of them will find out eventually... Especially if Oliver is serious about asking her out."

"I don't know… I haven't seen him this worked up in awhile, which means he obviously fancies her… a lot," Katie said. "Which just makes me feel all the worse. I didn't tell him no outright, but just that… he should take things slow…"

"That's not bad advice," Angelina said.

"But are you doing it for them or yourself?" Alicia pushed. Katie frowned. Leave it to Alicia to get right to the point. "Because if they get close, if things work out, he'll eventually tell her about magic and then she'll find out that you've been lying to her." Katie stared at her glass again.

"I don't want to keep lying to her," she said softly. "It feels… wrong…"

"But it's what we have to do. All of us - Oliver included for the time being," Alicia said, glancing at Angelina and then back at Katie. "She can't know."

"I know," Katie said, leaning back in her chair.

"If it's getting too much, I can still help you find a fla-"

"I'm not moving out," Katie said abruptly. "Sure things are confusing. And it royally sucks lying to Finn, but… I can't move out. I don't want to. As mad as it might sound, living there is really helping me… and she's become a good friend."

"Then you're going to have to get it together," Alicia said sternly. "And for fuck's sake, let Oliver take her out on a date. Finn deserves to go out with a decent bloke. You too, for that matter." Katie's cheeks flushed pink.

"No. I'm not ready," she said quickly. Alicia smirked as Angelina chuckled. Seemed she had hit a nerve with that one. But then again, she had known Katie and long time and had easily picked up on her feelings for Taylor. Even if the former chaser was hellbent on denying them.

"You did say that he's a wizard… certainly makes it easier," Angelina suggested. Katie just shook her head.

"Stop it, both of you," she ordered. "You both know that I'm not ready for, for… anything like that. No."

"Come on, you know you love us, Kates," Alicia said, batting her eyelashes dramatically. Katie huffed, but there was clearly a smile on her face. "Now, I think you should owl Oliver and set up a date to get him a mobile…"

"I really appreciate this, Kates," Oliver said as the two of them walked into the flat. Finn said she would be out with Taylor and they likely wouldn't be back for a few more hours. That gave them plenty of time for her to give him a rudimentary lesson on the mobile that she had just helped him purchase as well as other muggle things. It was better to do it at her flat since it was completely muggle.

"Not a problem. Can't have you giving up the game in the first round," Katie said with a sigh. The two settled on the sofa and Oliver pulled out the box from a bag and stared at it in confusion. "Hand it here…"

Sometime later, Oliver was still staring down at the contraption in confusion.

"So you just... what?" Oliver asked for the fifth time. He wasn't even sure if his fingers could work it, the keys were so small and not made for someone with such big hands has him. Katie chuckled as she took it away from him.

"You press this button and… okay, now you can send a text message," Katie said, holding the phone out so he could see. Oliver nodded, his eyes fixed on the small black and grey box. "Don't forget to plug it in when you're at home or it'll die and you can't use it. Just use the outlets in your flat and plug this end into the outlet and this one into the phone." She pointed at the charging cord as she spoke while Oliver nodded.

He took the phone back, staring at it as though it was some sort of magical object that would make all his dreams come true.

"Thanks, Kates," he said, not taking his eyes off it. Katie just chuckled as she stood and walked towards the kitchen to get them two beers. She had already programmed Finn's number into the phone for him as well as hers, but she wondered if he could even remember how to navigate to the phonebook to call either of them. She should probably explain speed dial to him next.

"So… you thought about what you're going to do on your first date with Finn?" she asked. He looked over at her, his eyes wide.

"I… dunno… Shit, I hadn't even thought that far," he said, suddenly worried. It wasn't like he could take her to the Alley - where he usually took his dates. Or a quidditch pitch for a flying lesson. What did you do on muggle dates? Just eat?

Katie chuckled again as she walked over and held the beer out to him, sensing that he was currently going through all the things he usually did on a date and deeming all of it too magical. She felt like she was going to have to plan that for him as well. At least until he got his bearings. Then Oliver would do well enough on his own. He could be devastatingly romantic, after all.

It was then that there was a knock on the door. Katie frowned, not remembering if someone was supposed to come over. Walking over, she unlocked the door and opened it, her eyes widening slightly as she saw Taylor standing there.

"Katie… good to see you," he said, walking into the flat. He stopped when he saw Oliver seated on the sofa. He smiled at her and then walked over. "This must be the Oliver I've heard about."

Oliver gave Katie a confused look, then stood and stuck his hand out.

"Taylor, is it?" he asked. Taylor nodded as he shook his hand.

"See Katie must be teaching you how to use a mobile so you can get in touch with Finn," he replied, going to the kitchen. "Speaking of which, where is the bloody vixen?" Oliver's eyes widened as he locked gazes with Katie.

"Oh, right… forgot… Taylor's a wizard," Katie said. She then turned to Taylor. "I thought she was out with you."

"Wait… what?" Oliver asked. Taylor walked back out, grinning with a beer of his own.

"Still didn't answer me," Katie said, looking at Taylor, hoping that she wasn't blushing. From the way Oliver was watching the two of them, she could tell that she was failing. There was something about Taylor's teasing that always had her cheeks turning colors.

"Oh, right. She said she got called into work and wanted me to meet her here. Think she wanted to stay around the flat tonight," Taylor replied. "You two planning to stick around?"

"Ehm… I," Oliver started, not sure how to respond. He wanted to see Finn, yes, but his hands were starting to get slightly sweaty at the thought of it. He wasn't ready. There was still too much for him to learn about muggle life.

Of course, that would be about the time that Finn came rushing into the flat, slightly red-faced and out of breath.

"Sorry, I'm-"

She froze, seeing that Katie and Taylor were not alone in the flat. Her eyes widened as she saw Oliver standing in front of the sofa. What was he doing there? Was Katie trying to set them up?

"There you are," Taylor said, walking over to hug her. "Was just thinking we should order pizza. For the four of us." Finn just blinked and then nodded.

"I… sure," she said, she looked at Katie. "Good with you?"

"Yea," Katie said. She then looked over at Oliver. "You in, Oliver?" He cleared his throat.

"Ehm… yes… yea. Don't have any plans tonight," he said, running his hand up the back of his neck.

"Excellent, I'll call Giovanni's," Taylor said, already walking over to the phone. "Thinking… supreme and pepperoni?"

"Yes. Oh! And get the cheese sticks," Finn said, temporarily distracted. "And wings!" Taylor just laughed and shook his head as he dialed. Finn then turned and her cheeks went slightly red as she looked at Oliver standing there with a mobile in his hand. "New phone?"

"Oh, yea. Mine's been on the fritz lately. Been needing to get a new one for a while now," he said. Finn nodded as she turned and walked into the kitchen to get herself a beer and avoid looking at Oliver. Katie was already trying to hide her smile. "That's why I wasn't able to call…"

"Oh, cool," Finn said, walking back into the living room as Taylor snorted slightly as he ordered. Finn shot him a look and then walked over and sat on the sofa, picking up the box.

"Nice phone," she said, looking up at him. He nodded and moved to sit next to her. Though not too close.

"Said it was the latest or something. Honestly, I didn't understand half of what they were saying at the shop," he replied. Finn frowned.

"I thought you were into new tech," she replied. Oliver's eyes widened, but he then shot a look at Katie, who quickly walked into the kitchen and away from his accusing eyes. "You had that moving photograph at your place."

"Oh, right… I think it's… cool… just don't understand it much," Oliver mumbled.

"Right then. Pizza should be here soon," Taylor said, walking over and sitting in an armchair as Katie walked back out and moved to sit in the other. He started grinning as he took in Finn and Oliver's awkward body language and winked at Katie, who was also entertained by their interaction. This was going to be fun.

"So, Oliver… how's matches going?" Taylor asked casually.

"Good, though took a b-ball to the head last game," he said, taking a large gulp as his cheeks turned slightly red.

"Oh, god," Finn replied. "That can't be good."

"Bet that hurt," Taylor said, chuckling.

"A bit, but nothing I haven't gone through before," Oliver said. Soon enough the conversation flowed more naturally and the couple on the sofa ended up sliding a bit closer together. The pizza arrived and by that time, Finn was grinning as Oliver entertained them with stories from all his years of playing, though he was careful to alter it as best he can. Katie was impressed with his improvisation skills. And he must have read up a bit on football in his free time, though there were a few occasions where he referred to quidditch rules rather than football. Thank Merlin, Finn didn't know the difference.

"Ah, we need more beer," Katie said abruptly, standing and starting towards the kitchen. She didn't really but wanted to give Finn and Oliver a bit of time alone. Thankfully Taylor was equally as good at reading the situation.

"I'll help," Taylor said, standing as well as he shot a wink towards Finn.

She and Oliver went a bit silent, the awkwardness settling in now that they were alone. Finally, he turned to her.

"Hope you don't mind, but… Kates already gave me your number," Oliver said as the two walked into the kitchen. Finn blushed slightly. "Again, I really did mean to contact you before, just… with the season and all, it's been… hectic."

"Oh, I get it," Finn replied quickly. "I mean… yea, work gets crazy for me too. And well…" She stopped and took a deep breath then met his eyes. "It's good that it's taken a while, actually. I'm… out of practice with this sort of thing… It's been over a year since my break-up and we were together for a long time before that…"

"You don't have to explain if you don't want to," Oliver said, sensing her discomfort. "I understand. Been awhile for me too. And my last relationship was fairly serious as well."

"Katie mentioned that," Finn replied, leaning towards him slightly. Oliver nodded slowly.

"We were together almost two years," he said. "And I thought perhaps she was… the one… but you know how it goes."

"Yea…" Finn said, trailing off as she looked away.

"But… I do think that… you seem pretty special. And taking things slow is a good idea for us. I just want the opportunity to get to know you better," he said. Finn looked at him and smiled.

"I would like that," she said.

In the kitchen, Katie peeked around the corner and smiled then turned and jumped not expecting Taylor to be so close behind her.

"Sorry," she said, sidestepping around him and going to the fridge.

"Those two are finally working things out," Taylor said with a sigh. "Think they might just go on a date soon…"

"That's his plan," Katie replied as she opened the fridge and bent down, grabbing more beer.

"And what's your plan, Ms. Bell?" Taylor asked smoothly. She shut the door and looked at him, her eyes slightly wide. "You think perhaps we could meet up? Maybe go on a date on our own without having to backup one or both of the idiots out there?" She thought a moment before smiling slightly and taking a step towards him. Her heart was pounding.

But as much as she was attracted to Taylor, she knew that she definitely wasn't ready for this.

"Look, I like you," Katie started, though her eyes widened as Taylor grinned. "I mean, you're not horrible, but… I'm really not interested in anything with anyone right now…"

"I understand… imagine the tosser left you with a bit of mistrust," he replied, though his face softened. "Really, Katie. I get it. You think all the flirt and such is for fun? Been hurt myself."

"You have?" Katie asked softly. He nodded and glanced into the living room where they could hear Finn and Oliver laughing.

"Haven't we all?" he said, not meeting her eyes. He looked back at her, reading her expression. "No, not Finn. Never Finn. Someone after her. But she was there to nurse my wounds. Just like I've been there for her the last year after Ryan." Katie chuckled softly.

"Aren't we the broken hearts club?" she replied wryly.

"Yea, though hopefully those two are about to get out of it," he replied, nodding his head towards Finn and Oliver.

"Yea, hopefully…"